4.04.2010

I love dirty vegetables. While many people would think that a dirty vegetable simply has not been washed thoroughly, I tend to see the dirt as a certain degree of pedigree: a symbol that that vegetable has just been removed from the ground and is at it's very freshest. And these particular leeks were at their best. Pulled from a local garden only a matter of hours before I was lucky enough to receive them as a gift, these baby leeks needed only a quick rinse before I put them to work.

In a large sauce pan, slowly bring the stock to a strong simmer. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Chop the whites of the leeks, discarding the tough greens. Lightly saute the leeks in the butter until just cooked. Add the arborio rice, gently tossing frequently to coat each grain in a little butter. Cook until translucent. Add a ladleful of simmering stock to the rice, stirring to combine. Keeping adding only one ladleful of stock to the rice only after the rice has absorbed all of the previous ladles worth of stock. Stir each time to add the stock and occasionally as needed.

Between ladlefuls, place parsley, garlic, mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup stock in a food processor. Process until very smooth and strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any left over solids. Season with salt and pepper and reserve.

When the risotto is almost finished, stir in the remaining butter and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the mustard parsley coulis. Serve warm with a little parsley as a garnish.

About 6CD

Around these parts, the following are all highly accurate and precise descriptors of measurements: 'fistfuls', 'a few glugs', 'as desired', 'to taste', and my most favorite of all 'some'. Cooking is best done when it is by feel, not by measuring cups. Not sure how much olive oil to use? Or how many carrots? At what temperature should you roast tomatoes? Or a pork shoulder? Give it your best go and see where it takes you.